Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• ClimaChill Technology• Durable rubber outsole• Responsive Boost technology• Flexible• Fair price
Upper
The entire upper unit is made with a stretch-like two-layer mesh material. This provides a fit that is extremely similar to that of a sock. It takes a lot of effort for the material to heat up, so you can be confident in knowing that your feet will be cool, regardless of the weather. One of the more controversial sections of the ClimaChill Rocket running shoe is the tongue. This shoe strays away from the traditional tongue, and simply connects the front of the shoe with the heel and the sides. This displays one opening to enter your foot in. This feature has been a disappointment to some testers because they felt as though the mesh material felt obnoxiously restricting.
Midsole
The midsole contains one of Adidas’ most advanced technology, the Boost. This technology is a foam unit that is made with thousands of compacted TPU pellets. In the ClimaChill Rocket, the Boost technology spreads throughout the entire length of the shoe. The Boost foam is aggressively evident, as it is always white, and strongly resembles the inside of a styrofoam material (these are the TPU pellets compacted into the midsole.)
Outsole
The outsole of the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket is made tough so that it can last longer. It is made with a durable rubber material that can handle being used daily. It is very flat and thin, with virtually no tread present, which indicates that this running shoe is specifically meant for the road. The outsole has a diamond-like pattern which exposes the boost midsole right above.
Breathability
The Adidas ClimaChill Rocket scores very high in breathability. The material in the upper is made with ClimaChill technology, which is known to help the entire surface area become cool and dry. ClimaChill has micro-pores, which are used to easily allow airflow throughout the interior of the shoe. This technology helps rid the shoe from sweat, as well as light water. This level of breathability allows runners to go out in the hottest temperatures and feel relaxed, as their feet won’t feel as though they are damp from sweat or even puddles. Having such a breathable running shoe will maximize the opportunities you will have the wear the ClimaChill Rocket throughout the year.
Comfort
The soft mesh material in the upper of the ClimaChill Rocket makes the shoe very comfortable to wear. Since the upper fits onto the runner’s shoe like a sock, plenty of testers have said that you can comfortably wear these running shoes without any socks. If runners decide to go the sockless route, they won’t have to worry about their feet getting irritated by the shoe’s material. The Boost technology in the midsole also provides comfort to the runner by offering exceptional underfoot cushioning. A comfort issue that commonly arose among testers was the tongue. Since the tongue isn’t a traditional style, some runners have been frustrated while trying to put the shoe on. They have to initially squeeze their foot in the shoe and gently slide it through so that they can find the proper fit. Based off of reviews, comfort is arguably the best feature of the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket.
Style
The style of the ClimaChill Rocket seems different than other Adidas shoes. This shoe has a similar shape compared to other running shoes, but the design is what forces it to stand out. The most noticeable difference in the ClimaChill rocket is the fact that it doesn’t have the signature three Adidas stripes on the side of the shoe. Instead, the Adidas logo is branded on the heel of the shoe, and there is a square overlay covering the side of the shoe. There are a handful of colors available with this shoe. Runners can find the ClimaChill Rocket in black/white/blue, light blue/orange/white, and navy/neon yellow/orange/white. Regardless of the color of the upper, the midsole stays the same color: white. The color of the outsole varies depending on the color combination. Another noticeable part of this shoe’s style is the tongue. The ClimaChill Rocket has a tongue that is attached to the upper, making the shoe look like one solid piece of fabric. This running shoe looks like something from the future, and with the Adidas technology applied to it, expect it to run like one.
Durability
The Boost midsole is naturally designed to stay strong. It is safe to say that the durability within the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket is fair. The thin outsole is made with a strong rubber that protects the Boost material and expands the life of the shoe. Each section of the ClimaChill Rocket was designed to last long, so you can run hundreds of miles without having to look for a new pair of running shoes. It takes a substantial amount of running to break down this technology, so it will stay effective after a significant amount of usage. Runners should stay on the flat road surface if they want this shoe to last to its potential.
Protection
This shoe is mostly protected by the advanced materials that Adidas has put into it. Cushioning plays an imperative role in the protection of the foot. The Boost technology from Adidas has contributed to several parts of this shoe, and protection is one of them. The Boost midsole has a soft cushioning that offers high quality underfoot protection. This will help protect the underfoot from painful, annoying blisters that can potentially occur when running a high volume of miles on the road. As far as other parts of the shoe, the protection is considered limited. The thin lightweight mesh in the upper is great for comfort and breathability, but won’t really be able to protect the foot from bumping into something or having a 45-pound plate fall on it in the gym.
Responsiveness
Another strength of the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket is its responsiveness. This is mostly due to the superior quality of the Boost technology, located in the midsole. The Boost material is naturally springy, helping the runner bounce off the ground with each footstrike. Every time a runner’s foot hits the ground, the thousands of TPU pellets within the Boost technology compact together. From there, these pellets absorb the shock that arises from the ground and uses it for energy. This energy-returning process helps runners feel eager to take their next step and bounce around from point A to point B. The ClimaChill Rocket’s lightweight and flexible features undoubtedly contribute to its responsiveness, primarily because it allows the foot the strike naturally, rather than the runner being limited by the shoe’s original shape.
Support
Considered by many reviewers to be a neutral shoe, the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket is a great option for runners who don’t necessarily need any additional support in the arch area. In other words, there is no arch support for runners who happen to be flat-footed. With that being said, along with the high level of responsiveness, the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket can be considered a minimalistic shoe.
Terrain
Just by looking at the flat outsole, you can easily tell that these running shoes are only good for the road. This includes, but isn’t limited to sidewalk, track, pavement, and a light gravel surface. Runners will be able to get the most out of this shoe’s features when they’re in the road terrain. It is highly likely that you will see this shoe being worn by daily runners, track runners, and possibly even heavy lifters. The ClimaChill Rocket would also be good for those who like to use treadmills, so don’t be surprised if you see the shoe in the gym more often.
Price
The price for this running shoe is arguably average. It initially retailed at slightly over $100 but can be found at a lower price depending on the size. While the ClimaChill Rocket doesn’t offer anything more superior compared to any other Adidas shoe in 2017, the three-digit price could be misleading to some. This average price range should be a plus for those runners looking for a quality shoe that has a reasonable price tag on it.
Drop
The heel-to-toe drop for the ClimaCool Rocket is measured at 10 millimeters. This is a standard measurement for the average daily shoe. With a 10 millimeter drop, runners will be able to strike with their midfoot and not feel any discomfort in their knees or shins. Again, while the 10-millimeter mark has become standard as of late, minimalists will also be able to take advantage of this drop and other properties.
Stability
There isn’t much to analyze in regards to stability within the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket. Since there is a high amount of cushioning within this shoe, there are no properties that truly describe the ClimaChill Rocket as “stable.” Granted, there are leather overlays on the sides of the feet that constrict when the laces are tied, but the mesh is already considerably tight. In addition, since there isn’t any arch support, the ClimaChill Rocket isn’t considered a “stability shoe.”
Flexibility
Thanks to Adidas’ Boost technology in the midsole, the ClimaChill Rocket doesn’t prevent runners from feeling natural in their running motion. Each section of this running shoe has properties that encourage the foot to bend naturally. The sock-like fit of the upper contributes to the overall flexibility of the shoe, as well as the midsole. Based off of reviews, the ClimaChill Rocket is far from stiff, especially after running a few dozen miles.
Traction
Going back to the conversation on terrain, it is evident that the outsole doesn’t have nearly enough tread to even consider going offroad or onto any other unstable surface. Based off of this observation, traction isn’t a strength of the ClimaChill Rocket. If you do decide to go out onto a less stable environment such as a mountainous ground or trail, there will be a strong chance that you can lose balance and slip, primarily because there are no real lugs present on the outsole to help grip onto the surface. When used on its natural terrain, the Adidas ClimaChill will slightly provide traction, but anything beyond that isn’t the best idea. Overall, the traction is slim compared to other road shoes, but since it isn’t a trail shoe, this section shouldn’t determine whether or not you should make a purchase. The lack of lugs is actually a positive characteristic because it makes the shoe much more suitable for road running. If you think about a shoe with aggressive lugs, they would likely wear down quick against the callous road surface. This would ultimately describe a trail shoe.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket is a “different” running shoe that provides plenty of comfort and breathability. This shoe can easily be a daily running shoe for most people, especially since it was built to be durable. If you don’t care how to put the shoe on, then this style will work for you. Having an attached tongue, runners can simply slip their foot into the shoe or stretch the mesh upper material to make some room. This seems like a downside to some but is nothing more than a cosmetic preference. If you can get over this feature, as well as the small sizing, the Adidas ClimaChill Rocket will be a valuable asset to your running shoe collection.
